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THE EVERGLADES, Fla. (AP) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis has toured the Florida Everglades shortly after announcing his first major environmental policy statement since winning the GOP nomination.

DeSantis pledged Wednesday to continue the restoration of the Florida Everglades, fund land conservation, combat beach erosion and protect water supplies.

DeSantis also announced plans to fund a research team to study the causes of a red tide epidemic plaguing the state's waters. The centerpiece is to build a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee, which drains into the Everglades.

U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., resigned from Congress on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, to focus on his campaign for Florida governor full time. Here, he speaks to supporters Saturday, June 9, 2018 during a rally in downtown Pensacola. John Blackie/jblackie@pnj.com

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis and Brian Mast take a boat ride out of Stuart, accompanied by Florida Sen. Joe Negron and other stakeholders, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

U.S. Reps. Ron DeSantis and Brian Mast take a boat ride out of Stuart, accompanied by Florida Sen. Joe Negron and other stakeholders, on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, to see and discuss the algae crisis in the St. Lucie River. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

Alex Gillen (right of center), of Stuart, with Bullsugar.org, talks about algal blooms on the St. Lucie River with U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (far right) during a boat ride out of downtown Stuart on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, on the St. Lucie River. DeSantis is campaigning for the Republican nomination for governor. XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM

Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis, center, speaks during the Freedom Tour, which also featured Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz, right, and Jim Jordan, left, at the Fish House on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Gaetz is running for re-election in Florida's 1st congressional district, which includes the panhandle. DeSantis, a gubernatorial candidate, currently represents Florida's 6th congressional district, which includes Palm Coast and Daytona Beach on the east coast. Jordan founded the Freedom Caucus and represents Ohio's 4th congressional district. He also is a candidate for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis smiles during the Freedom Tour, which also featured Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan, at the Fish House on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Gaetz is running for re-election in Florida's 1st congressional district, which includes the panhandle. DeSantis, a gubernatorial candidate, currently represents Florida's 6th congressional district, which includes Palm Coast and Daytona Beach on the east coast. Jordan founded the Freedom Caucus and represents Ohio's 4th congressional district. He also is a candidate for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis waves to supporters during the Freedom Tour, which also featured Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan, at the Fish House on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Gaetz is running for re-election in Florida's 1st congressional district, which includes the panhandle. DeSantis, a gubernatorial candidate, currently represents Florida's 6th congressional district, which includes Palm Coast and Daytona Beach on the east coast. Jordan founded the Freedom Caucus and represents Ohio's 4th congressional district. He also is a candidate for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Jody Link/online@pnj.com

Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis greets supporters during the Freedom Tour, which also featured Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan, at the Fish House on Saturday, August 18, 2018. Gaetz is running for re-election in Florida's 1st congressional district, which includes the panhandle. DeSantis, a gubernatorial candidate, currently represents Florida's 6th congressional district, which includes Palm Coast and Daytona Beach on the east coast. Jordan founded the Freedom Caucus and represents Ohio's 4th congressional district. He also is a candidate for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Jody Link/online@pnj.com

President Donald Trump shakes hands with US Representative Ron DeSantis, Republican of Florida, and candidate for Florida Governor, as he speaks during a campaign rally at Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Fla. on July 31, 2018. Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images

House Judiciary Committee member Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 24, 2016, before the House Judiciary Committee hearing on allegations of misconduct against IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. Andrew Harnik/AP